Kids' Free Days at the Zoo
Date: 10/1 - 10/31/2004
You'll go bananas over this month-long opportunity for kids, ages 11 and younger, to meet some of the most exotic creatures on earth! Some Zoo highlights for kids include animal shows, the Absolutely Apes Exhibit, the Reptile House & Reptile Mesa, Polar Bear Plunge, and Mei Sheng, the one-year old male giant panda cub. The Children's Zoo will also delight younger visitors with special animal exhibits and activities, two animal nurseries, a Petting Paddock, an Animal Plant Garden, racing pigeons and zany science shows from Dr. Zoolittle.
Note: Kids' Free Days at the Zoo is for general admission only and does not include the 40-min Guided Bus Tour, Express Bus or the Skyfari Aerial Tram.
The Facts
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park
Hours: 9am - 4pm (grounds close at 6pm thru 10/3; after 10/3, grounds close at 5pm)
Tickets: Buy discount adult tickets now (Best Value Package includes admission, Guided Bus Tour, Express Bus and Skyfari Aerial Tram)
Information: 619-234-3153 or www.sandiegozoo.org
Animal Shows at the Zoo
Wegeforth National Park Sea Lion Show - visit Wegeforth National Park and learn about the special animals that live there You may even get to be a part of the show. Daily: 11am & 3pm, Wegeforth Bowl.
The Wild Ones - see predators and prey from around the world. You may even get a
chance to participate. Daily: 12pm & 2pm, Hunte Ampitheater.
Dr. Zoolittle Show - join this physician of fun for a hilarious and interactive show. Weekends, Children's Zoo.
Family-Friendly Activities in Balboa Park
Kid-Friendly Museums - from dinosaurs to sports, Balboa Park offers a variety of museums that kids will love. Some of the best bets include the San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Automotive Museum and the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Every Tuesday of the month, the museums of Balboa Park offer free admission on a rotating basis. Information: 619-239-0512.
The House of Pacific Relations - enjoy arts, crafts, ethnic foods and traditional costumes from 30 national groups Hours: Sunday afternoons from noon 4pm. Folk dancing and music begin at 2:00pm. Free. Information: 619-234-0739.
Balboa Park Railroad Train Ride - it's all aboard a miniature locomotive for an
exciting 1/2 mi. trip through Balboa Park. Sat, Sun & school holidays, 11am-4:30pm. Admission: $1.75; free under age 1. Information: 619-231-1515 x4219.
Carousel - take a magical ride on one of the few carousels in the world still offering a chance to catch a brass ring! Hours: Sat, Sun & school holidays, 11am - 5:30pm.
Admission: $1.75. Information: 619-460-9000.
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater - watch delightful performances that include A Spider's Tale (10/6-10/10), The Polka-Dot Ghost (10/13-10/17), Who's Afraid of Peter Pumpkin (10/20-10/24) and The Magic Purple Potion (10/27-10/31) Hours: Wed - Fri: 10am & 11:30am; Saturday & Sunday: 11am, 1pm & 2:30pm. Admission: adults: $3; children: $2. Information: 619-685-5990.
"Junior Friends of Balboa Park" Badge - kids (6-17yrs.) enjoying the park can earn a badge by attending an event. Information: 619-235-5907.
Picnic & Play areas - take a break in the shade at Pepper Grove Park and take
advantage of a picnic & playground area, swings, tables, playground equipment and a tiny tots area. Information: 619-239-0512.
Free Tram - to help navigate the Park's numerous museums and attractions, catch a free tram that departs from the parking lot at Inspiration Point. Trams operate 7 days a week from 8:30am-6pm and pick up every 8-10 minutes. Information: 619-239-0512.
Great Hotel Offerings
US Grant Hotel (Extended Stay Special) - Rates starting from $104.00 based on availability
InnSuites Lafayette Hotel (Zoo Package) - Rates starting from $165.00 based on availability
Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites (San Diego Zoo Adventure) - Rates starting from $169.50 based on availability
Mission Valley Resort - Rates starting from $62.00 based on availability
Days Inn - Hotel Circle/Sea World - Rates starting from $ 68.00 based on availability
Town and Country Resort & Convention Center - Rates starting from $89.00 based on availability
Hot Tip
Kids will get an "out-of-this-world" experience when they see the Apollo 9 Command Module on display at the San Diego Aerospace Museum. On loan from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., Apollo 9, named "Gumdrop" by its crew, will be on display in the free venue of the museum's Rotunda until 2007. Hours: open daily from 10:00am - 4:30pm. Admission: adults, $9; children, $4 (6-17ys.); 5 and under, free. Information: 619-234-8291 or www.aerospacemuseum.org
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